M.W. Grand Master	George Dunlop
R.W. Deputy Grand Master	Douglas T. Grey
As R.W. Senior Grand Warden	Michael J. Ward
R.W. Junior Grand Warden	William J. E. Dukelow
R.W. Grand Registrar	Arthur D. S. Moran
R.W. Grand Secretary	D. Barry Lyons
R.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies	William J. Dyer
R.W. Senior Grand Chaplain	The Rev. Canon George N. Little
R.W. Junior Grand Chaplain	The Ven. John G. Murray
V.W. Senior Grand Deacon	Noel A. Drain
V.W. Junior Grand Deacon	Rodney L. McCurley
V.W. Grand Superintendent of Works	David T. Young
V.W. Asst. Grand Director of Ceremonies	Ivan A. Meldrum
V.W. Grand Steward	Brian Kershaw
V.W. Grand Sword Bearer	Richard H. Gray
V.W. Grand Stewards of Charities	Diarmuid McNulty
	James C. Stanley
V.W. Grand Almoners	Richard Ensor
	J. Edward Brownell
V.W. Grand Organist	John N. Rowden
V.W. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer	Douglas Thompson
V.W. Grand Master's Standard Bearer	James Copes
V.W. Grand Inner Guard	Basil Elliott
V.W. Grand Secretary for Instruction	Michael J. Ward

There were also present:‑ the Immediate Past Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Eric N. Waller; the Provincial Grand Masters of North Connaught, Londonderry & Donegal, Meath, Midland Counties, North Munster and South Eastern; the Provincial Deputy Grand Masters of Armagh, North Connaught, South Connaught, Meath, Midland Counties, South Eastern and Tyrone & Fermanagh; R.W. Bros. Geoffrey Ashton and Robert J. Armstrong, Past Provincial Grand Masters; R.W. Bro. Selwyn S. Davies, Past Chairman, Metropolitan Board; R.W. Brother Michael W. Walker, Past Grand Secretary; R.W. Bro. Allen Megarry, Past Grand Director of Ceremonies; R.W. Bro. Rt. Rev. Samuel G. Poyntz, Past Senior Grand Chaplain; R.W. Brothers the Rev. Canon Richard H. Bertram and the Rev. Charles McCurdy, Past Junior Grand Chaplains; VW. Brothers Terence O. Read, J. Noel Millar, Gordon Morrison, Robert J. Robinson, Frank Arnold and John L. Frazer, Past Grand Deacons; VW. Bros. Ralph McGuckin and Kwesi O‑P Ackah, Past Grand Superintendents of Works; VW. Brothers William J. Johnston, Samuel J. Patience, Roger Matthews and Robert T. McCaffrey, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; VW. Brother Samuel Scott, Honorary Past Grand Steward; V.W. Brothers Bernard V.A. Woods, David A.R. Lovesy, Victor Whyte and Alan R.G.R. Patterson, Past Grand Almoners; VW. Brothers S. Gordon Leathern and Robert T. Bashford, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; and R.W. Brothers K. Cochrane, A.W. Coid, D.J. Long and Hugh Hamilton, Past Grand Representatives.

SISTER CONSTITUTIONS REPRESENTED
The following Grand Lodges were represented:‑ Scotland, Canada (in Ontario), Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Victoria, Western Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium (Regular), Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway. Portugal, Serbia, Sweden, Turkey, California, District of Columbia. Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Argentina, Chile, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Japan, The Philippines, Mauritius, Israel; and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges of the Caribbean and Jurisdiction, Colorado, Massachusetts and Ohio.

APOLOGIES FOR NON‑ATTENDANCE
Apologies for non‑attendance were received from:‑ The R.W. Assistant Grand Master; the V.W. Junior Grand Chaplain, Selwoode Graham; the VW. Assistant Grand Treasurer and the V.W. Assistant Grand Secretary for Instruction; the Provincial Grand Masters of Antrim, Armagh, South Connaught, Munster, Tyrone & Fermanagh and Wicklow & Wexford; R.W. Brothers Daniel B. Fincher, Robert J. Thomson and Charles R. Knipe, Past Senior Grand Wardens; R.W. Bros. J. David F. McKee and Michael R. Bicknell, Past Grand Directors of Ceremonies; R.W. Brother the Rev. W. Warren Porter, Past Junior Grand Chaplain; V.W. Bros. Norman Humes, Arnold J. Cooke and Mervyn Morrison, Past Grand Deacons; V.W. Bro. Robert H.B. Mills, James I. A. Davison, Trevor Monteith, Samuel H. Boyle and Andrew McFetridge, Past Grand Stewards of Charities; V.W. Bros. William W. T. Shortland and Maurice W. Lee. Past Grand Almoners; VW. Bros. Norman Jackson and Donald H. Finlay, Past Grand Master's Standard Bearers; the Representatives of the Grand Lodges of Alberta, Newfoundland, New South Wales. Andorra, Croatia, Greece, Slovenia, Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Rhode Island. Vermont, Peru, Mato Grosso do Sul, Sao Paulo, China and Guinea; and R.W. Brother Douglas Wakefield. Past Grand Representative.

OBITUARY
Grand Lodge being opened, the Grand Master referred to the recent deaths of R.W. Bro. Richard Reid, Representative of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia; V.W. Bro. Albert J. Coaton, Hon. Past Grand Deacon, Southern Cape; V.W. Bro. William P. Forbes, Hon. Past Grand Superintendent of Works, Southern Cape and V.W. Bro. Leslie E. Lynch, Hon. Past Grand Superintendent of Works, Bermuda. The memory of our departed distinguished Brethren was saluted in accordance with ancient custom.

WELCOME BY THE GRAND MASTER AND DECLARATION OF AIMS
The Grand Master welcomed all Brethren attending Grand Lodge; he then called on the Grand Secretary to read out the Declaration of Aims and Principles, drawn up by the Home Grand Lodges in 1938, which he believed should be read at all Lodges, annually, as is done elsewhere.

MINUTES
On the proposal of the acting R.W. Senior Grand Warden, seconded by the R.W. Junior Grand Warden. the Minutes of the October 2nd Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge, which had been circulated. were taken as read, approved and signed.

INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND OFFICERS FOR 2009
The Grand Master, M.W. Brother George Dunlop, was proclaimed and  saluted.
The Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Brother Douglas T. Grey, was proclaimed and saluted.

APPOINTMENT OF PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTERS AND INSPECTORS
The Grand Master announced that he was re‑appointing all Provincial Grand Masters, with the exception of R.W. Bro. George Miskimmins who was retiring, and Grand Inspectors overseas. He announced that he would Install R.W. Bro. Miskimmins' successor in March, when Grand Lodge would be the guest of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Armagh.

The Provincial Grand Masters and Grand Inspectors were saluted.

INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND WARDENS
The Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented R.W. Brother William J. E. (Sam) Dukelow to the Grand Master for investiture as Senior Grand Warden. R.W. Brother Dukelow was Installed and was saluted.

The Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented R.W. Brother J. Kenneth Dunne to the Grand Master for investiture as Junior Grand Warden. R.W. Brother Dunne was Installed and was saluted.

INVESTITURE OF THE GRAND OFFICERS
The following were then invested or proclaimed, and saluted, as the Grand Officers for 2009: [The Grand Treasurer, continuing until his successor is installed in March, was also saluted].

R.W. Grand Registrar	Arthur D.S. Moran
R.W. Grand Secretary	D. Barry Lyons
R.W. Grand Director of Ceremonies	William J. Dyer
R. W. Senior Grand Chaplain	The Rev. Canon George N. Little
VW. Junior Grand Chaplains	The Rev. Noel H.L. Regan
	The Rev. Richard W. Moore
VW. Senior Grand Deacon	Douglas Thompson
V.W. Junior Grand Deacon	John O. Dunlop
VW. Grand Superintendent of Works	David T. Young
VW. Assistant Grand Treasurer	Arnold W.J. Smith
VW. Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies	Ivan A. Meldrum
VW. Grand Steward	Thomas R. McDowell
VW. Grand Sword Bearer	Basil Elliott
V. W. Grand Steward of Charities	Diarmuid McNulty
	James C. Stanley
VW. Grand Almoners	Richard Ensor
	J. Edward Brownell
VW. Grand Organist	John N. Rowden
VW. Grand Lodge Standard Bearer	John Dickson
VW. Grand Master's Standard Bearer	David Penpraze
VW. Grand Inner Guard	John A. Graham

INVESTITURE OF FOREIGN GRAND REPRESENTATIVES
R.W. Bro. Reginald D. Atkinson and VW. Bro. Eric V. Good being in attendance and having produced their Patents of Appointment, the Grand Director of Ceremonies formed a procession and presented them to the Grand Master for investiture as Representatives of The Grand Lodge of Hungary and The Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan, respectively. The newly invested Grand Representatives were conducted to their seats and were saluted, along with the Representatives of all Foreign Grand Lodges with which the Grand Lodge of Ireland is in amity.

CERTIFICATES OF PAST GRAND RANK PRESENTED
The following Brethren were then presented to the Grand Master for presentation with their Certificates of Past Grand Rank:
V.W. Brother Ven. John Murray       ‑ Past Junior Grand Chaplain
VW. Brother Noel A. Drain                ‑ Past Senior Grand Deacon
V. W. Brother Rodney L. McCurley  ‑ Past Junior Grand Deacon
VW. Brother James Copes               ‑ Past Grand Master's Standard Bearer

GRAND LODGE CHARITY MOTION
The Grand Treasurer proposed a Motion that Grand Lodge make a donation of €3000 to the Masonic Benevolent Institutions. The Motion was passed unanimously.

ANNUAL RETURNS OF OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES
The Grand Secretary submitted the Returns of Officers of subordinate Lodges and the names of Representatives on the Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Boards of General Purposes, for approval.

Grand Lodge approved the Returns, all of which had been submitted (bar one), checked and found to be correct. Retrospective permission to Install would be granted to the outstanding Lodge provided the Annual Return was found to be in order and all Dues and Fees paid.

REPORT OF THE GRAND LODGE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES
The Board noted with regret, for reporting to Grand Lodge, the imminent return of the Warrants of Hiram's Lodge No. 97, Belfast; Excelsior Lodge No. 109, Belfast; Victoria Lodge No. 254, Holywood; Tyrian Lodge No. 302, Dublin; Freedom Lodge No. 394, The Mount; Craigavon Lodge No. 550, Belfast; Zubian Lodge No. 647, Belfast; Thomas Barbour Lodge No. 674, Holywood and Belfast Lodge No. 257 on amalgamation with Lodge No. 651.

The Grand Secretary read a copy of the letter he had sent, on behalf of the Board, to the three Lodges in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Ghana wishing to opt out following the imminent Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Ghana.

The Board granted requests for permission to transfer the Warrants of Lodges Nos. 803 and 821 to Derriaghy and Moneyreagh, respectively.

The Board considered a charge of unmasonic conduct against a Brother of Lodge 185, Dungannon and following an explanation and recommendation from the Provincial Grand Lodge of Tyrone & Fermanagh, the Board agreed that no further action be taken.

Read memorial for the issue of a new Warrant to establish a Lodge in the Metropolitan area to be called Skillet and Trowel and to be numbered 981. The memorial was supported by the Metropolitan Board and the Grand Lodge Board recommended the issue of a new Warrant. Confirmed.

The Board considered requests for dispensations, under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118, for a Brother to serve the office of Secretary in two Lodges in 2009:
(a) Lodge No. 141 & Lodge No. 877; (b) Lodge No. 223 & Lodge No. 299; (c) Lodge No. 124 & Lodge No. 296; (d) Lodge No. 349 & Lodge No. 682 ; (e) Lodge No. 688 & Lodge No. 917; and recommended same to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

The Board considered requests for dispensations, under the terms of Grand Lodge Law No. 118, for a Brother to serve as a Principal Officer in two Lodges in 2009:
(a) Lodge No. 336 & Lodge No. 503; (b) Lodge No. 263 & Lodge No. 652 ; (c) Lodge No. 92 & Lodge No. 865; (d) Lodge No. 203 & Lodge No. 596; (e) Lodge No. 60 & Lodge No. 775; (f) Lodge No. 279 & Lodge No. 432; and recommended same to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

Vacancies having arisen in the Representations of the Grand Lodges of Burkina Faso, Dominican Republic and the Ivory Coast, the Board recommended that the names of V.W. Bro. Ian A. Mrkpatrick, Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works, Down; V.W. Bro. Robert Ross, Provincial Grand Almoner, Londonderry & Donegal and W. Bro. Leslie J. Nixon, Provincial Grand Steward of Charities, Tyrone & Fermanagh, be sent forward for consideration to act as their Grand Representatives here. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

Read letter from the Grand Lodge of Maryland submitting the name of W. Bro. Julius H. Poston Jr., to act as a suitable Representative there. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered and supported a request for recognition from, and an exchange of Representatives with, the Grand Lodge of Romania. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.
The Board considered and supported a request for recognition from, and an exchange of Representatives with, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Recommended to Grand Lodge. Confirmed.

THE GRAND MASTER'S ANNUAL REPORT
The Grand Master delivered his quarterly address, details of which will appear in the Grand Lodge Annual Report for 2008.

CONFERRAL OF HONORARY RANKS
The Grand Master, with the concurrence of Grand Lodge, conferred the following Honorary Ranks:

Past Junior Grand Warden
R.W. Bro. John Atta-Quayson	- Provincial Grand Master, P.G.L. Ghana
Past Grand Director of Ceremonies
V.W. Bro. Michael Campbell	- On promotion from Past Grand Steward (Botswana)
Past Grand Deacon
R.W. Bro. Brian Johnstone	- On promotion from Hon. Past Grand Supt. of Works
V. W. Bro. Theophilus O.S. John	- On promotion from Hon. Past Grand Supt. of Works
V.W. Bro. Claude E. Nicol	- On promotion from Hon. Past Grand Steward
R.W. Bro. Alex C. Smith	- Past Assistant Grand Master, Londonderry & Donegal
Past Grand Superintendent of Works
V.W. Bro. Hussein A. Fawaz	- On promotion from Hon. Past Grand Sword Bearer
V.W. Bro. Arnold Aubee	- On promotion from Hon. Past Grand Inner Guard
Past Grand Steward
V.W. Bro. Robert Murphy	- Provincial Grand Treasurer, P.G.L. Southern Cape
W. Bro. Timothy P. Morton	- On promotion from O.D.G.R. (Botswana)
Past Grand Sword Bearer
W. Bro. Alexander J. Noble	- Past Master of Lodge No. 750, P.G.L. Southern Cape
W. Bro. Anthony 1. Rudman	- Past Master of Lodge No. 722, P.G.L. Southern Cape
Past Grand Lodge Standard Bearer
W. Bro. Eric J. Levert	- On promotion from O.D.G.R. (Botswana)
Past Grand Inner Guard
V.W. Bro. Anton H.G. Alsemgeest	- Provincial Junior Grand Warden, P.G.L. Southern Cape
V. W. Bro. Gordon Bergh	- Prov. Grand Supt. of Works, P.G.L. Southern Cape
W. Bro. Sylvanus Bell	- On promotion from O.D.G.R. (Sierra Leone)
W. Bro. Austin A. Cole	- On promotion from O.D.G.R. (Sierra Leone)
Overseas District Grand Rank
W. Bro. Prince Valecious A. Coker	- Past Master of Lodge No. 848, Sierra Leone
W. Bro. Donald H.O. Johnson-Williams	- Past Master of Lodge No. 920, Sierra Leone
W. Bro. David S. Kai-Rogers	- Past Master of Lodge No. 920, Sierra Leone

CHARITY COLLECTION
The Grand Master announced that he was donating the Charity Collection to Action Cancer (Northern Ireland) and Cancer Research Ireland (Republic).

The Collection amounted to €1,651.75.

GRAND LODGE CLOSED

Grand Lodge Closed, following which some 105 Brethren lunched in Freemasons' Hall, where the Deputy Grand Master proposed a toast to the health of the Grand Master.